Some of the Matatu Saccos being forced out the Nairobi CBD have challenged a case filed against them in court.
The saccos include Ena, Prestige, Kinatwa, Makos, Kamuna, Transline, NNUS, Intercounty Travellers among others.
The case was filed by one Ezekiel Oyugi and John Karuu against the saccos, Nairobi County Government, Total Energies and Ola Energy Afya Center and OTC.
Through their lawyers led by Danstan Omari, the saccos have filed their response in case accusing the county government of bias.
It is alleged that the case is as a result of the saccos refusal to bribe some Nairobi County officials.
Oyugi and Karuu want the court to order the saccos to cease all operations in petrol stations with immediate effect and relocate to designated terminus like Green Park and Bus Station.
However, the saccos claim that the said designated places are already overcrowded making it impossible for them to get any space to accommodate their vehicles.
The applicants further want the National Management Environment Authority (NEMA) and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to revoke operating licenses of the Total Energies (Rhino), Ola Energy (Afya Centre), Ola Energy (OTC) and cease from operations for non-compliance with safety regulations untill proper measures are put in place.
Oyugi and Karuu argue that the said saccos are endangering the lives of pf Kenyans since petrol stations are highly flammable zoned.
“It just takes one spark, one cigarette ember to set off an explosion at a petrol station. There is tragedy waiting to happen at many petrol stations even after they were officially banned matatus are still regularly picking and dropping off passengers,” the applicants stated.
However, the saccos questioned why only the three petrol stations have been targeted yet over 30 petrol stations in the country are used as matatu stages/terminus.
The case will be mentioned on 26th January 2026 for further directions
